Casey Hartigan APHRNZ

What led you to a career in HR/ the position that you are in currently? 

My journey into HR has been anything but linear (like most, I’m discovering!). I started out in Marketing, then took a break from the corporate world to work as a Flight Attendant until Covid brought that to a halt. While figuring out my next step, I landed an admin role at 2degrees, and just shy of a year later, I moved into the People team, where I’ve been ever since. Reading the position description for my first HR role was a real lightbulb moment for me, and since then it’s been an amazing and rewarding experience.

What do you love about working in HR?

The impact we can have, both on the business and, more importantly, on the people within it. I love being able to support leaders and employees through processes that can often feel complex or challenging. Being a trusted advisor during those moments is something I find genuinely fulfilling. I also really enjoy the variety HR offers; no two days are ever the same!

What is an achievement so far in your career that you are proud of?

Bringing technology into the HR space in practical and impactful ways. I’ve always been quite tech-savvy, and I really enjoy finding opportunities to introduce automation or digital tools that make our processes smoother and more intuitive. Whether it’s improving the employee experience or freeing up time for more meaningful work, it’s something I’m really proud to contribute to.

What are your thoughts on the Accredited Professional Member process?

I found it to be a really valuable process. It gave me a chance to reflect on my development so far and take stock of how my experience lines up with professional benchmarks in the industry. It’s easy to keep moving without pausing to look back, so I appreciated the opportunity to do that in a structured way. I came away from it feeling more confident in my path and clearer on where I want to grow next.

Do you plan to now work towards becoming a Chartered Member?  

Yes, eventually. I’d like to gain more depth in some strategic areas first, but when the timing is right, it’s absolutely a goal I’ll be pursuing.

What are your next steps in terms of your career?

Right now, I’m focused on broadening my HR generalist experience and continuing to grow in areas like change management, employee experience design, and workforce planning. Long-term, I’m especially interested in the intersection of people and technology, and how we can use emerging tools to create more human-centred, efficient, and inclusive workplaces.